The National Weather Service’s forecast discussion is slightly more tempered, stating that while the trough will be the strongest to affect the area in two weeks, it’s predicted to weaken considerably as it moves through.

“Unfortunately, the model trends for that system to get weaker,” said Dennis Phillips, with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.

While the system showed some promise earlier, Phillips said, how much snow Steamboat gets will depend on whether the system can pick up some moisture on the way here.

“It’s been so dry between here and the West Coast,” Phillips said. “The West Coast is just getting pounded.”

However, as more storms swing through, they’ll keep bringing more moisture to the area, he said.

About Gratz’s hope for a snowier weather pattern in December, Phillips said the models are showing a chance for snow around Dec. 7.

“There’s trying to be a whole pattern change,” Phillips said. “We’re waiting to see if that happens or not.”

But while there’s a shot at a storm for Steamboat on Dec. 7, models are showing dry conditions again after that, Phillips said.